Off to Hueco Mundo!

It was the last night of the month, and also the final night of Yoruichi Shihōin and the others' training with Squad Zero.

"I can't sleep."

Sōgo Shihoin tossed and turned in bed, still unable to fall asleep.

Creeeak~

"Yo~ You're still awake, right?!"

Then a familiar scene played out before Sōgo's eyes once again. The Big-Eyed Monk slid open the door to his room as though he had every right to and walked in with a grin.

"Tch~"

Sōgo ignored the Big-Eyed Monk who had invaded his territory and squeezed his eyes shut. With his blindfold shielding them anyway, the man had no way of knowing whether his eyes were open or closed.

Silence...

After Sōgo closed his eyes, the entire room fell deathly silent, as though there were no one there but him.

That's strange.

What exactly is this monk up to?

He's not going to do something unspeakable while I'm asleep, is he?

With his eyes closed, Sōgo Shihoin grew restless as countless thoughts kept flashing through his mind. He was also full of curiosity about the Big-Eyed Monk sitting wordlessly in his room. What was the man doing in utter silence while Sōgo slept?

Maybe I'll just open my eyes for a peek?

With that thought, Sōgo Shihoin opened his eyes beneath his blindfold.

"Yo?! You're not asleep, are you? You're not asleep at all, are you? You're awake right now, aren't you?"

As soon as Sōgo opened his eyes, he was greeted by a fat, round face with big, watery eyes, less than five centimeters from his own.

"Screw you!"

Faced with this scene straight out of a horror movie, Sōgo kicked the unidentified big-eyed life-form beside his bed flying.

Thud...

As the sound of something heavy hitting the floor rang out, Sōgo sat up in bed.

At the same time, his door opened once again, and Tenjirō Kirinji and Ōetsu Nimaiya walked in together.

Click~

"Hey! What are you making all this noise for?"

"It's the middle of the night!"

As he spoke, Tenjirō Kirinji switched on the light in Sōgo's room.

"Hahaha... It's nothing serious. Just a little misunderstanding between young Sōgo and me."

The Big-Eyed Monk sat on the floor with a trash can over his head, laughing heartily.

"What kind of misunderstanding sends a trash can flying onto your head?"

Tenjirō Kirinji snarked at the Big-Eyed Monk.

"Hahaha... None of that matters. What matters is that it's about time you made your choice, young Sōgo, isn't it? Will you leave the Soul Society to train for a while, or become a member of Squad Zero like us and forever defend His Majesty the Spirit King's glory?"

The Big-Eyed Monk pulled the trash can off his head and asked Sōgo Shihoin with a serious expression.

"Do I even need to think about it?"

"Obviously, I'm going to train."

Sōgo Shihoin sat cross-legged on the bed and spoke to the Big-Eyed Monk with an impatient look.

"Going to train, huh?" The Big-Eyed Monk nodded gently at Sōgo Shihoin's answer, then continued, "Have you thought about where you'll train, young Sōgo?"

"I haven't decided that yet, but... I'm guessing you've already prepared somewhere for me, haven't you? The most suitable place for me to train as I am now."

Sōgo shook his head listlessly. He really had not decided where to train, nor could he be bothered to think about it, because he knew that the damned monk sitting opposite him had already planned everything out for him.

"Oh my!" The Big-Eyed Monk nodded happily at Sōgo's words. "Just what I'd expect from someone I think so highly of. You understand me so well. Indeed, I've already chosen a training location for you, young Sōgo. How should I put it? It's really a process of elimination. First, we rule out the Soul Society and those small worlds that can't withstand your spiritual pressure. Next, we rule out places like the World of the Living, where a casual release of your spiritual pressure would claim tens of thousands of lives, making you a true 'god of death' in every sense. The conclusion that leaves us with is obvious, isn't it?"

"So it really is Hueco Mundo?"

Sōgo remained just as listless.

"Exactly! After my flawless deductions, Hueco Mundo really is the only place best suited to you, young Sōgo. Just imagine that barren desert, perfectly suited to you releasing your spiritual pressure however you like. Release it lying down, release it sitting down, release it standing up. Good heavens! There simply isn't anywhere more suitable for you than Hueco Mundo!"

The Big-Eyed Monk rose to his feet, spread his hands, and opened his arms wide, describing a wonderful future for Sōgo Shihoin.

"No matter how I look at it, I can't muster any enthusiasm."

"Every time I imagine having to live with those Hollows for ages, I get a splitting headache."

Sōgo Shihoin imagined himself happily playing with a bunch of Hollows that could do nothing but roar. What a beautiful picture.

"Anyway, give it your best, Sōgo!"

"A man's got to show some spirit!"

"I've even prepared a special item for you so you won't get lonely."

As he spoke, Ōetsu handed Sōgo Shihoin a pitch-black case.

"What's this?"

Sōgo looked at the black case before him and asked in puzzlement.

"Your favorite thing is inside."

Ōetsu walked over to Sōgo's side and spoke quietly.

"What? Could it be..."

A gleam flashed through Sōgo Shihoin's eyes beneath his blindfold.

"It's exactly the thing you're thinking of!"

Ōetsu gave Sōgo Shihoin a thumbs-up, flashing the classic toothy grin of a hot-blooded manga.

Gulp~

With Ōetsu's assurance, Sōgo Shihoin swallowed and reached for the human-shaped black package before him.

"You can't..."

But before Sōgo could open it, Ōetsu stopped him.

"You have to wait until you get to Hueco Mundo to open this, or it won't be a surprise."

Ōetsu restrained Sōgo Shihoin's impulsive urge and spoke gravely.

"I understand, Master Ōetsu!"

Sōgo Shihoin nodded gently to Ōetsu. No one understood him better than Ōetsu.

"When are you planning to leave, little monster?"

Tenjirō Kirinji asked Sōgo Shihoin.

"Tomorrow, after I see my sister off. Oh, and don't reveal where I'm going. Just say I've been training with Squad Zero all along."

Sōgo Shihoin reminded them, afraid that they would give him away.

"Understood! Understood!"

The Big-Eyed Monk and the other two looked at Sōgo with smiles and nodded gently.

"Did you really understand?"

Sōgo Shihoin frowned deeply at the three men smiling at him. He kept feeling that they had not understood what he said.

"Don't worry, Sōgo!"

"We're the elite of Squad Zero. As elites, we won't make such elementary mistakes."

The Big-Eyed Monk gently patted Sōgo Shihoin's shoulder with a faint smile.

"You'd better not."

Sōgo Shihoin gave the Big-Eyed Monk a suspicious look and said no more.

(End of chapter)